First Peoples Artwork

The First Peoples Artwork at Melbourne Airport is designed by Wurundjeri and Djaara artist Mandy Nicholson (Gawarn) and Yorta Yorta and Gunnai artist Dixon Patten (Bitja). 

The artwork is grounded in the themes of Ceremony, Traversing Country and Celestial Connection, reflecting the ways Wurundjeri and First Peoples have moved across and maintained relationships with Country from time immemorial. 

Through references to Wurundjeri culture, history, language and knowledge, the artwork explores welcome and farewell, journey, connection and cultural continuity.  

Bunjil, the Wurundjeri Creator Spirit, is represented through the Aquila constellation and is formed from the smoke from the welcome ceremony. While the Wangims (boomerangs) wish for a safe return.  

The texture of the panels represents the Walert Walert (Possum Skin cloak) that embodies cultural safety and connectivity. In Wurundjeri culture, when babies are born, they are wrapped in possum skins and are given new skins through different life stages and stitch them together to create a larger cloak.  

 The six different patterns of the panels represent the six layers of country and how they are connected – from the from the earth and waterways beneath and around us to the wind, sky and stars above. 

Tullamareena, a Wurundjeri man whose name is connected to Tullamarine, is depicted in different stages of his life, with the artwork representing leadership, cultural survival and the continuing Wurundjeri connection to the Country on which Melbourne Airport stands. 

The Tarnuk/Welcome Ceremony bowl also shows mannagum leaves and Bunjil (Eagle) feathers being carried by the wind/smoke. Gum leaves are a symbol of welcome and farewell.  

At an international gateway where people from many countries, cultures and communities cross paths every day, these ancient and continuing First Peoples systems of movement and connection take on a contemporary resonance.  

The artwork also speaks to our shared global connection. We walk the same earth, breathe the same air, drink the same water and look to the same skies and stars. While our cultures, histories and relationships to place are distinct, we share the same planet — and the artwork serves as a reminder that caring for Country is everybody’s responsibility.

Learn more about the artwork from Mandy and Dixon.